5,153 research outputs found
Low-energy electron transport with the method of discrete ordinates
The one-dimensional discrete ordinates code ANISN was adapted to transport low energy (a few MeV) electrons. Calculated results obtained with ANISN were compared with experimental data for transmitted electron energy and angular distribution data for electrons normally incident on aluminum slabs of various thicknesses. The calculated and experimental results are in good agreement for a thin slab (0.2 of the electron range), but not for the thicker slabs (0.6 of the electron range). Calculated results obtained with ANISN were also compared with results obtained using Monte Carlo methods
Revisiting the Simplicity Constraints and Coherent Intertwiners
In the context of loop quantum gravity and spinfoam models, the simplicity
constraints are essential in that they allow to write general relativity as a
constrained topological BF theory. In this work, we apply the recently
developed U(N) framework for SU(2) intertwiners to the issue of imposing the
simplicity constraints to spin network states. More particularly, we focus on
solving them on individual intertwiners in the 4d Euclidean theory. We review
the standard way of solving the simplicity constraints using coherent
intertwiners and we explain how these fit within the U(N) framework. Then we
show how these constraints can be written as a closed u(N) algebra and we
propose a set of U(N) coherent states that solves all the simplicity
constraints weakly for an arbitrary Immirzi parameter.Comment: 28 page
Physical boundary state for the quantum tetrahedron
We consider stability under evolution as a criterion to select a physical
boundary state for the spinfoam formalism. As an example, we apply it to the
simplest spinfoam defined by a single quantum tetrahedron and solve the
associated eigenvalue problem at leading order in the large spin limit. We show
that this fixes uniquely the free parameters entering the boundary state.
Remarkably, the state obtained this way gives a correlation between edges which
runs at leading order with the inverse distance between the edges, in agreement
with the linearized continuum theory. Finally, we give an argument why this
correlator represents the propagation of a pure gauge, consistently with the
absence of physical degrees of freedom in 3d general relativity.Comment: 20 pages, 6 figure
Coherent states, constraint classes, and area operators in the new spin-foam models
Recently, two new spin-foam models have appeared in the literature, both
motivated by a desire to modify the Barrett-Crane model in such a way that the
imposition of certain second class constraints, called cross-simplicity
constraints, are weakened. We refer to these two models as the FKLS model, and
the flipped model. Both of these models are based on a reformulation of the
cross-simplicity constraints. This paper has two main parts. First, we clarify
the structure of the reformulated cross-simplicity constraints and the nature
of their quantum imposition in the new models. In particular we show that in
the FKLS model, quantum cross-simplicity implies no restriction on states. The
deeper reason for this is that, with the symplectic structure relevant for
FKLS, the reformulated cross-simplicity constraints, in a certain relevant
sense, are now \emph{first class}, and this causes the coherent state method of
imposing the constraints, key in the FKLS model, to fail to give any
restriction on states. Nevertheless, the cross-simplicity can still be seen as
implemented via suppression of intertwiner degrees of freedom in the dynamical
propagation. In the second part of the paper, we investigate area spectra in
the models. The results of these two investigations will highlight how, in the
flipped model, the Hilbert space of states, as well as the spectra of area
operators exactly match those of loop quantum gravity, whereas in the FKLS (and
Barrett-Crane) models, the boundary Hilbert spaces and area spectra are
different.Comment: 21 pages; statements about gamma limits made more precise, and minor
phrasing change
Consistently Solving the Simplicity Constraints for Spinfoam Quantum Gravity
We give an independent derivation of the Engle-Pereira-Rovelli spinfoam model
for quantum gravity which recently appeared in [arXiv:0705.2388]. Using the
coherent state techniques introduced earlier in [arXiv:0705.0674], we show that
the EPR model realizes a consistent imposition of the simplicity constraints
implementing general relativity from a topological BF theory.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, v2: typos correcte
Lorentzian spin foam amplitudes: graphical calculus and asymptotics
The amplitude for the 4-simplex in a spin foam model for quantum gravity is
defined using a graphical calculus for the unitary representations of the
Lorentz group. The asymptotics of this amplitude are studied in the limit when
the representation parameters are large, for various cases of boundary data. It
is shown that for boundary data corresponding to a Lorentzian simplex, the
asymptotic formula has two terms, with phase plus or minus the Lorentzian
signature Regge action for the 4-simplex geometry, multiplied by an Immirzi
parameter. Other cases of boundary data are also considered, including a
surprising contribution from Euclidean signature metrics.Comment: 30 pages. v2: references now appear. v3: presentation greatly
improved (particularly diagrammatic calculus). Definition of "Regge state"
now the same as in previous work; signs change in final formula as a result.
v4: two references adde
A New Spin Foam Model for 4d Gravity
Starting from Plebanski formulation of gravity as a constrained BF theory we
propose a new spin foam model for 4d Riemannian quantum gravity that
generalises the well-known Barrett-Crane model and resolves the inherent to it
ultra-locality problem. The BF formulation of 4d gravity possesses two sectors:
gravitational and topological ones. The model presented here is shown to give a
quantization of the gravitational sector, and is dual to the recently proposed
spin foam model of Engle et al. which, we show, corresponds to the topological
sector. Our methods allow us to introduce the Immirzi parameter into the
framework of spin foam quantisation. We generalize some of our considerations
to the Lorentzian setting and obtain a new spin foam model in that context as
well.Comment: 40 pages; (v2) published versio
Fractional derivatives of random walks: Time series with long-time memory
We review statistical properties of models generated by the application of a
(positive and negative order) fractional derivative operator to a standard
random walk and show that the resulting stochastic walks display
slowly-decaying autocorrelation functions. The relation between these
correlated walks and the well-known fractionally integrated autoregressive
(FIGARCH) models, commonly used in econometric studies, is discussed. The
application of correlated random walks to simulate empirical financial times
series is considered and compared with the predictions from FIGARCH and the
simpler FIARCH processes. A comparison with empirical data is performed.Comment: 10 pages, 14 figure
Hedgehog Pathway Activation Alters Ciliary Signaling in Primary Hypothalamic Cultures
Primary cilia dysfunction has been associated with hyperphagia and obesity in both ciliopathy patients and mouse models of cilia perturbation. Neurons throughout the brain possess these solitary cellular appendages, including in the feeding centers of the hypothalamus. Several cell biology questions associated with primary neuronal cilia signaling are challenging to address in vivo. Here we utilize primary hypothalamic neuronal cultures to study ciliary signaling in relevant cell types. Importantly, these cultures contain neuronal populations critical for appetite and satiety such as pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and agouti related peptide (AgRP) expressing neurons and are thus useful for studying signaling involved in feeding behavior. Correspondingly, these cultured neurons also display electrophysiological activity and respond to both local and peripheral signals that act on the hypothalamus to influence feeding behaviors, such as leptin and melanin concentrating hormone (MCH). Interestingly, we found that cilia mediated hedgehog signaling, generally associated with developmental processes, can influence ciliary GPCR signaling (Mchr1) in terminally differentiated neurons. Specifically, pharmacological activation of the hedgehog-signaling pathway using the smoothened agonist, SAG, attenuated the ability of neurons to respond to ligands (MCH) of ciliary GPCRs. Understanding how the hedgehog pathway influences cilia GPCR signaling in terminally differentiated neurons could reveal the molecular mechanisms associated with clinical features of ciliopathies, such as hyperphagia-associated obesity
Numerical indications on the semiclassical limit of the flipped vertex
We introduce a technique for testing the semiclassical limit of a quantum
gravity vertex amplitude. The technique is based on the propagation of a
semiclassical wave packet. We apply this technique to the newly introduced
"flipped" vertex in loop quantum gravity, in order to test the intertwiner
dependence of the vertex. Under some drastic simplifications, we find very
preliminary, but surprisingly good numerical evidence for the correct classical
limit.Comment: 4 pages, 8 figure
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